3 Common Errors of Scale: Why Size Matters
Oh, the innuendos - let’s not linger there. Size matters - in design.
Errors of scale are some of the most common ones. They are easy to get wrong, expensive to fix, and have a huge impact on the final result. So read on the learn the most common size faux-pas - and how to avoid them.
Coffee Tables
There seems to be something of an epidemic of small coffee tables in the world.
Frankly, this is not your fault, dear reader. It comes directly from the manufacturers, who insist on making a disproportionate number of dinky tables and an obscure number of decent sized ones.
Of course, if you live in small apartment, I am not suggestion a monster of a table. But most people have a full-sized sofa (typically at least 85-90” wide). Your coffee table should span a good stretch of that, so a 24-30” piece isn’t going to cut it.
As a general rule, plan to space your table 18” away from nearby seating. So, for example, if you have a 90” sofa, you should leave 18” (give or take) on each side for chairs or other furniture. This leaves you enough space for about a 60” wide coffee table. You could also opt for a large square or circle (though you will struggle to find one larger than 48”), or several nested tables (their overall footprint should be about 60” together). See the diagram below.
If you want an easier rule - just use the largest coffee table you can fit without tripping over it.
Area Rugs
Area rugs are tricky, because they come in standard sizes, but in a perfect world they would all be custom fit. Even so, we can do better than we often do.
Think of your area rug as the parameters that define your room. If you make it smaller, the room will feel smaller. Yes, larger rugs cost more - but not that much more. So, select a size that will extend under your furniture, at least halfway - and ideally, that you furniture can sit fully on top of.
ABOVE: The 10’x13’ rug, if your space will accommodate it, gives you the most options for additional furniture pieces. In this case, the 8’ x 10’ is acceptable but less generous; the 7’x9’ would be a common choice, but is too small.
The biggest trick here is do not eyeball it. Get a measuring tape out. Get painters tape to tape out the edges you are having trouble picturing it. And again, your simplest rule - the largest that you can fit (without folding!)
Rugs that are too small make the room feel smaller.
Kitchen Pendants
For this one, I blame a certain type of builder. The kind that create big, cheap houses with small, cheap lights. But this scale for lighting has become ingrained into our minds as ‘correct’, making many a kitchen island fall short of it’s potential.
First: unless you are dealing with a very small space, just filter out lights that are less than 18” in diameter. Yes, they can look good, but it is difficult to do and has to be a very special fixture; unless you are confident, just avoid the risk.
Beyond this, the best way to determine a good size for your lights is to do an elevation drawing, to scale, and play around until they look good to you. It is possible to get lights that are too big, and seeing a visual can be the only way to get it right.
You can do this by hand on graph paper, or use a software program. Or, if that feels too hard, hire your friendly local Interior Designer to help you out.
ABOVE: Notice how the 36” - which may, by estimation, have sounded too large - actually look great in this space. Meanwhile, the 18” - a common choice - look undersized. The 24” is acceptable, especially if the fixture is very special and commands more space.
One more note - groupings of three pendants may benefit from being reduced to only two. If you are renovating your kitchen, consider downsizing in number and upsizing in scale.
It can be intimidating to go big. But, especially if your space lacks innate architectural interest, playing with scale can be a very effective tool for adding interest and drama without the need for major renovations.
